President Ramaphosa to mark Volkswagen Group Africa 75th anniversary

President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) 75th Anniversary Gala Dinner on August 31, 2026. The event will take place at the Volkswagen plant in Kariega, located in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape.

The anniversary commemorates 75 years of Volkswagen's operations in South Africa, beginning with the production of the first Volkswagen Beetle at the Kariega plant on August 31, 1951. Since its establishment, the plant has produced nearly 40 different models and over 4.8 million vehicles, with more than three million intended for the local market.

Currently, the Kariega facility serves as the sole global manufacturer of the Volkswagen Polo, exporting the model to 38 countries. Volkswagen Group Africa employs approximately 3,600 people and supports 1,440 suppliers, with wider operations estimated to support roughly 50,000 indirect jobs. Since 2010, the company has invested more than R13 billion in its South African facilities.